The dramatic art form known as Beijing Opera (or Peking Opera) has been a staple of Chinese entertainment for more than two centuries. It was founded in 1790, when the Four Great Anhui Troupes went to Beijing to perform for the Imperial Court.
Some 40 years later, well-known opera troupes from Hubei joined the Anhui performers, melding their regional styles. Both the Hubei and Anhui opera troupes used two primary melodies adapted from the Shanxi musical tradition: "Xipi" and "Erhuang." From this amalgam of local styles, the new Peking or Beijing Opera developed. Today, Beijing Opera is considered China's national art form.
Beijing Opera is famous for convoluted plots, vivid makeup, beautiful costumes and sets, and the unique vocal style used by performers. Many of the 1,000 plots (perhaps not surprisingly) revolve around political and military strife, rather than romance. The basic stories are often hundreds or even thousands of years old.
Beijing Opera's characters include historic emperors and officials, generals, and even supernatural beings such as gods. Experienced opera-goers can identify the characters by their style of makeup and the splendor of their costumes.
The acting style in Beijing Opera is mime-like; performers make body movements that suggest actions such as shooting a bow, jumping on to a horse, or entering a room. Beijing Opera was also the first Chinese opera style to make broad use of acrobatics.
Many fans of Beijing Opera are worried about the fate of this art form. The traditional plays make reference to many facts of pre-Cultural Revolution life and history that are unfamiliar to young people. Furthermore, many of the stylized movements have particular meanings that can be lost on uninitiated audiences.
Most troubling of all, operas must now compete with films, TV shows, computer games and the internet for attention. The Chinese government is using grants and contests to encourage young artists to participate in Beijing Opera.
